By Connor Robertson Gambling is a common activity in Ireland, whether it’s sports, horses, casino or online. For most people, it remains an occasional form of entertainment. But for a growing number, gambling can become something more serious. Something that affects finances, relationships, and mental health. This is known as problem gambling, and recent data suggests it may be…
Would you like to shape the future of Traveller Children and Young People’s participation and outcomes in Tusla services. This initiative from Tusla and in partnership with Laois Traveller Action Group and Dormant Accounts Funding is looking to recruit members for the new Traveller Youth Advisory Group. If you have experience of Tusla Services –…
By Mary Mitchell Sometimes the most transformative experiences come from the most unexpected places. For me, that moment arrived when I joined a podcasting course, a collaborative initiative between Blanchardstown Adult Services (BAES) and the Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group (BTDG). It was through this partnership that I first encountered the Blanchardstown Traveller Development Group (BTDG),…
By Connor Robertson Just three years ago, Aaron O’Loughlin from Galway City picked up a few balloons and started crafting simple event decorations. Today, he’s the proud owner of O’Loughlin Elegant Events Galway, a flourishing décor business that spans across Ireland and soon, the UK. First Steps“I started off with some small balloons and…
On Thursday, 9th October 2025, Traveller and Roma representatives will gather at the Ashling Hotel, Dublin, for the first National Traveller and Roma Forum under the NTRIS II (2024–2028) action plan. The Forum was created under Action 74 of NTRIS II, building on calls from community organisations for a stronger structure of dialogue and accountability.…
REMINDER: Applications close 26th September! Don’t miss your chance to apply for the Civil Service Traveller and Roma Placement Programme. A 12-month, paid opportunity with a pathway to permanency for members of the Traveller and Roma communities. Deadline: Thursday, 26th September 2025 Apply now and take the next step towards…
It’s never been easy to be a teenager, but in the age of smartphones and 24/7 social media, it can seem overwhelming, and so very different to the adolescence that so many of us remember. Growing up in today’s world isn’t easy for anyone, but for young Travellers the challenges are enormous: racism, discrimination, financial…
By Editor When Michael Reilly walks into a room now, he carries the confidence of someone who has stood before decision-makers in Brussels, co-designed award-shortlisted sports programmes, and is helping to shape policy for Traveller and Roma participation in sport across Ireland. But his path to this point was anything but straightforward. Michael, now the…
Submitted By Agnita Kenny Traveller activist Nan Joyce (1940 to 2018) family and friends joined Carlow College, St Patrick’s Civic Engagement Hub on 16th April to rename a room in honour of her ground-breaking activistism for Traveller human rights. Born Ann O’Donoghue in Tipperary, her father taught her the traditional Traveller language, Cant, and shared…
Following the successful pilot of the Student Accommodation Assistance for the 2024/2025 academic year – The Student Accommodation Assistance Scheme returns for the 2025/2026 academic year, funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) through Dormant Accounts Funding. This scheme is designed to reduce the barriers that students from…